CIPH Ciphergen Biosystems (MM)

Ciphergen Diagnostics Announces Renewal of Cancer Research Collaboration With Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine FREMONT, Calif., March 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ciphergen Diagnostics, a division of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CIPH), announced the renewal of its multi-year research collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine aimed at the discovery of novel protein biomarkers in the field of cancer. The focus of the collaboration over the last five years has been to discover and validate new diagnostic biomarkers that may improve cancer detection, classify types of disease, and provide disease monitoring. This collaboration led to the publication in August 2004 in Cancer Research of a study which described the use of Ciphergen's PatternTrack(TM) approach to discover three protein biomarkers that form the basis of a potential clinical assay designed to detect early stage ovarian cancer. The three biomarkers when combined were able to diagnose early stage (I/II) ovarian cancer with 74% sensitivity at 97% specificity. Over the past five years the research has been led by Daniel W. Chan, Ph.D., Professor of Pathology, Oncology, Urology, and Radiology and Director of the Clinical Chemistry Division of the Department of Pathology and Eric Fung M.D., Ph.D., Vice President of Clinical Affairs, Ciphergen's Diagnostics Division. "We are excited to renew this research collaboration with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. We believe this collaboration will lead to the discovery of biomarkers with clinical utility in cancer diagnosis and management, as well as provide us with a better understanding of cancer biology and pathophysiology," stated Dr. Fung. As part of the collaboration Ciphergen will continue to provide financial support, technical assistance, and access to advanced technology platforms through its Biomarker Discovery Center(R) scientists. Johns Hopkins will continue to contribute significant resources including cancer serum samples and the clinical and scientific expertise of its physicians and scientists. Ciphergen will continue to have access to the commercial rights of the discoveries made through the collaboration with Johns Hopkins. Gail Page, President of Ciphergen's Diagnostics Division, stated, "We are privileged to continue our collaboration with such dedicated and prestigious researchers. It is our belief that this partnership will result in rigorously conducted research that can be translated into commercial products that will benefit patients and the health care system. This relationship exemplifies a goal of translational medicine, which is to translate discoveries into assays that provide the physician with decision support tools." About Ciphergen Ciphergen's Diagnostics Division is dedicated to the discovery of protein biomarkers and panels of biomarkers and their development into protein molecular diagnostic tests that improve patient care; and to providing collaborative R&D services through its Biomarker Discovery Center(R) laboratories for biomarker discovery for new diagnostic tests as well as pharmacoproteomic services for improved drug toxicology, efficacy and theranostic assays. Ciphergen's Biosystems Division develops, manufactures and markets a family of ProteinChip(R) Systems and services for clinical, research, and process proteomics applications. ProteinChip Systems enable protein discovery, characterization, identification and assay development to provide researchers with predictive, multi-marker assay capabilities and a better understanding of biological function at the protein level. Additional information about Ciphergen can be found at http://www.ciphergen.com/. Safe Harbor Statement Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: For purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"), Ciphergen disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and claims the protection of the Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Act. Examples of such forward-looking statements include statements regarding a potential clinical assay designed to detect early stage ovarian cancer, the discovery of biomarkers with clinical utility in cancer diagnosis and management as well as providing a better understanding of cancer biology and pathophysiology, translating research in the partnership into commercial products that benefit patients and the healthcare system, the ability to provide services that lead to improved toxicology assays and diagnostic assays, and statements regarding our Diagnostics Division. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to various factors, including Ciphergen's ability to validate an ovarian cancer assay and/or develop other protein biomarkers as novel drug targets, diagnostic or toxicology assays, and the Company's ability to successfully commercialize such tests. Investors should consult Ciphergen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-Q dated November 9, 2004, for further information regarding these and other risks of the Company's business. NOTE: Ciphergen, ProteinChip and Biomarker Discovery Center are registered trademarks of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. DATASOURCE: Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. CONTACT: Sue Carruthers, Investor Relations, of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc., +1-510-505-2297 Web site: http://www.ciphergen.com/

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